Magnetic head slider for absorbing vibrations

ABSTRACT

A magnetic head slider disposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includes a slider main body, a magnetic head element that reads and reproduces data from the magnetic disk, and a vibration absorbing unit that absorbs vibrations generated due to contact between any portion of the slider main body and the surface of the magnetic disk, and that is provided on the slider main body at a predetermined position.

This application is a Divisional of prior application Ser. No.11/177,601 filed on Jul. 11, 2005, the contents being incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a magnetic head slider that prevents amagnetic head element from degrading over a long period by suppressingtransmission of vibrations to the magnetic head element.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a magnetic disk apparatus is utilized as a storagedevice that reads and writes information repeatedly in various systemssuch as a computer, a personal computer, and a server. A magnetic headslider that is used to read information from a magnetic disk in themagnetic disk apparatus, usually has a magnetic head element configuredof a GMR (giant magneto resistive) element and utilizing a giantmagneto-resistance effect, or configured of a TMR (tunneling magnetoresistive) element and utilizing a ferromagnetic tunneling effect.

Such a conventional magnetic head slider will be briefly explained belowwith reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of apositional relationship between a magnetic disk DK and a magnetic headslider 9. As shown in FIG. 14, a slider main body 11 of the magnetichead slider 9 is supported by a suspension 12. A magnetic head element13 is positioned at a distal end (the right side in FIG. 14) of theslider main body 11 to record and reproduce data recorded on themagnetic disk DK, which rotates at a high speed.

In the magnetic head slider 9 having the above configuration, when themagnetic head element 13 is used over a long period, the GMR element orthe TMR element constituting the magnetic head element 13 degrades, andan output thereof gradually reduces due to the degradation, therebyleading to a data read error.

As shown in FIG. 14, the magnetic head slider 9 is slightly levitatedfrom the magnetic disk DK. Recently, however, a gap t between themagnetic head slider 9 (the magnetic head element 13) and a surface ofthe magnetic disk DK is being gradually reduced to increase a recordingdensity.

Specifically, a recording density of a recent magnetic disk is high, anda levitation amount of a magnetic head is about 10 nanometers. Althougha magnetic disk is desirably flat, its face is actually finelyundulated. When a levitation amount is reduced to about 10 nanometers,the magnetic disk and the magnetic head come in contact with each other,due to fine undulation on the magnetic disk, at a time of reading datafrom the magnetic disk, thus the former receives an impact from thelatter. Consequently, even if a magnitude of the impact due to thecontact between the magnetic head and the magnetic disk is minute, thelife (degradation) of the magnetic head element is affected byvibrations due to the contact.

The present inventor has found that, when a magnetic head sliderequipped with such a magnetic head element as a GMR element is usedunder a condition of receiving vibrations, an output from the magnetichead element gradually reduces after prolonged use of the magnetic headslider. The inventor has disclosed a quantitative evaluating methodbased on prediction of a life of a magnetic head element (see JapanesePatent Application Specification No. 2004-335080).

According to the evaluating method, a magnitude of an impact due tocontact between the magnetic head element and the recording medium (amagnetic disk DK) is detected, and a life of the magnetic head ispredicted based on the magnitude of the impact detected. Therefore, thelife of the head can be predicted properly even when the head and therecording medium frequently come in contact with each other due toreduction in a levitation amount of the head.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-322713 discloses aconventional technique regarding the degradation of a thin film magnetichead element. According to this technique, a face opposite to a GMRelement is covered with a crystallization preventing film made of ashield layer, to thereby prevent degradation of the magnetic headelement.

In the life predicting method for a head as described in Japanese PatentApplication Specification No. 2004-335080, life of a magnetic headelement can be predicted properly, but actually, when the magnetic headelement is used over a long period, it is necessary to avoid or reduce adrawback due to contact with a magnetic disk DK (degradation due tovibrations).

In the countermeasure of covering the face opposite to the GMR elementwith the crystallization preventing film made of a shield layer,described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-322713, whenthe magnetic disk DK and the magnetic head slider actually come incontact with each other, propagation of vibrations to the magnetic headelement due to the contact can not be prevented effectively.Accordingly, degradation of the magnetic head element over a long periodcannot be prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problemsin the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a magnetic head sliderdisposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includes a slidermain body; a magnetic head element that reads and reproduces data fromthe magnetic disk; and a vibration absorbing unit that absorbsvibrations generated due to contact between any portion of the slidermain body and the surface of the magnetic disk, and that is provided onthe slider main body at a predetermined position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a magnetic headslider disposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includes aslider main body; a magnetic head element that reads and reproduces datafrom the magnetic disk; and an absorbing material that absorbsvibrations generated due to contact between any portion of the slidermain body and the surface of the magnetic disk, and that is providednear a portion where the magnetic head element is disposed.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a magnetichead slider disposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includesa slider main body; a magnetic head element that reads and reproducesdata from the magnetic disk; and at least one stud member, provided at apredetermined position of the slider main body, a proximal end of thestud member embedded in the slider main body and a distal end of thestud member projecting toward the surface of the magnetic disk by apredetermined amount, wherein an absorbing material that absorbsvibrations is interposed between the proximal end and the slider mainbody.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a magnetichead slider disposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, includesa slider main body; a magnetic head element that reads or reproducesdata from the magnetic disk; and a hard contact pad that is isolatedfrom the slider main body by a vibration damping member, and that isprovided on a bottom face of the slider main body, where an arrangementposition of the contact pad is any one of a position such that a gapbetween the contact pad and the surface of the magnetic disk is smallerthan a gap between the magnetic head element and the surface of themagnetic disk, and a position such that the contact pad comes in contactwith the magnetic disk, but there is no direct contact of the magnetichead element with the magnetic disk.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical andindustrial significance of this invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of presently preferredembodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the magnetic head slider shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the magnetic head slider shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the magnetic head slider shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of relevant parts shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a fourthembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a configuration of the magnetic head slidershown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a fifthembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the magnetic head slider shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a magnetic head slider according to a sixthembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the magnetic head slider shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a positional relationship between aconventional magnetic head slider and a magnetic disk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Outline andfeatures of a configuration of a magnetic head slider according to afirst embodiment will be explained below, and subsequently, details of afunction derived from the configuration of the magnetic head slider willbe explained.

According to the magnetic head slider of the first embodiment, even ifany portion of a slider main body 30 constituting a magnetic head slider10 comes in contact with a surface of a magnetic disk DK, propagation ofvibrations, due to contact with the magnetic disk DK, to a magnetic headelement 60 is suppressed. In the first embodiment, therefore, the slidermain body 30 constituting the magnetic head slider 10 is provided withdynamic absorbers 20 (“vibration absorbing units” described in claims)that have a function of absorbing vibrations generated due to contactwith a surface of the magnetic disk DK.

Specifically, in the first embodiment, by providing the dynamicabsorbers 20 in the slider main body 30, propagation of vibrations,generated due to contact between the slider main body 30 and the surfaceof the magnetic disk DK, to the magnetic head element 60 can besuppressed.

Details of a configuration and a function of the magnetic head slideraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a side view ofthe configuration of the magnetic head slider 10, and FIG. 2 is a planview thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the magnetic head slider 10 includes thedynamic absorber 20 (the vibration absorbing member), the slider mainbody 30, an insulating layer 40, and a protective layer 50 that isthicker than the insulating layer 40. When the slider main body 30 andthe surface of the magnetic disk DK (FIG. 1) comes in contact with eachother by any cause, the dynamic absorber 20 absorbs vibration energygenerated due to the contact. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG. 2, a total of three dynamic absorbers 20 are provided, one ona rear end of the slider main body 30 and one each on a left and a rightside face thereof.

The dynamic absorber 20 may be, for example, a dynamic damper includinga damper device and a weight, and utilizing resonation. The dynamicabsorber 20 can be configured to selectively act to a specificcharacteristic frequency inherent to the slider main body 30. In thiscase, vibration energy can be effectively absorbed according to thespecific characteristic frequency inherent to the slider main body 30.

The magnetic head element 60 configured of a GMR element is provided ata lower end position of the protective layer 50. The magnetic headelement 60 includes a GMR film having a magneto-resistance effect, athin film head for recording, a recording terminal, and a reproducingterminal, and has a function of reproducing data utilizing the GMR filmand recording data utilizing the thin film head for recording. An ABS(air bearing surface) 70 is a levitating surface for levitating theslider main body 30 of the magnetic head slider 10.

In the magnetic head slider 10 having the above configuration, forexample, when a portion of the magnetic head slider 10 and the surfaceof the magnetic disk DK come in contact with each other, vibrations dueto the contact can be absorbed by the dynamic absorber 20. Thus,generated vibration energy can be absorbed effectively, so that thevibrations do not propagate to the magnetic head element 60.

As explained above, according to the first embodiment, the dynamicabsorber 20 that absorbs vibrations is provided in the magnetic headslider 10. Therefore, when a portion of the magnetic head slider 10 andthe surface of the magnetic disk DK come in contact with each other,vibrations due to the contact can be absorbed by the dynamic absorber20, so that degradation and output reduction of the magnetic headelement 60 provided in the magnetic head slider 10 can be prevented fora long period.

A magnetic head slider according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained next with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.FIG. 3 is a side view of a configuration of a magnetic head slider 10 a,and FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof. In the magnetic head slider 10 a ofthe second embodiment, a material arranged near the magnetic headelement 60 absorbs vibrations generated in the slider main body 30.Specifically, this material that absorbs vibrations generated due tocontact with the surface of the magnetic disk DK is positioned near aportion where the magnetic head element 60 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the magnetic head slider 10 a includesthe slider main body 30 made from a composite material of ceramic andresin, the insulating layer 40 made from damping member, and theprotective layer 50 formed to be thicker than the insulating layer 40and made from damping member like the insulating layer.

The material used for forming the slider main body 30 has a mechanicaldamping coefficient higher than that of Al2O3-TiC, for example. The filmmaterial that isolates the slider main body 30 from the magnetic headelement 60 has a mechanical damping coefficient higher than that of analumina material. Thus, a vibration damping effect to the magnetic headelement 60 can be improved by using a material having a high mechanicaldamping coefficient as the constituent material, or the film materialthat isolates the slider main body 30 from the magnetic head element 60.

The magnetic head element 60 is provided at a lower end position of theprotective layer 50. Moreover, the protective layer 50 and theinsulating layer 40 both of which are made from a damping member, andthe slider main body 30 made from a composite material are arranged nearthe portion where the magnetic head element 60 is disposed. Therefore,when a portion of the magnetic head slider 10 a and the surface of themagnetic disk DK come in contact with each other, vibrations due to thecontact do not propagate to the magnetic head element 60.

Thus, the degradation of magnetic head element 60 provided in themagnetic head slider 10 a can be prevented over a long period. Theovercoat film material used for the magnetic head element 60 may be, forexample, a material with a mechanical damping coefficient higher thanthat of an alumina material. In this case, similar to the previousembodiment, a vibration damping effect to the magnetic head element 60can be further improved.

As explained above, according to the magnetic head slider 10 a of thesecond embodiment, a material such as a composite material or a dampingmember is used for absorbing vibrations in the slider main body 30, theinsulating layer 40, and the protective layer 50 that are positionednear the portion where the magnetic head element 60 is disposed.Therefore, even if a portion of the magnetic head slider 10 a and thesurface of the magnetic disk DK come in contact with each other,vibrations due to the contact do not propagate to the magnetic headelement 60, so that degradation of the magnetic head slider 10 a can beprevented over a long period.

A magnetic head slider according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained next with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, andFIG. 7. FIG. 5 is a side view of a configuration of a magnetic headslider 10 b, FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 7 is an enlargedview of relevant parts positioned near a portion where the magnetic headelement 60 shown in FIG. 5 is disposed.

In the third embodiment, a portion (a stud member 80) other than themagnetic head element 60 constituting the magnetic head slider 10 bcomes in contact with the magnetic disk DK to prevent direct contact ofthe magnetic head element 60 with the magnetic disk DK, and to blockpropagation of vibrations generated at the stud member 80 to the slidermain body 30.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the stud member 80, whoseproximal end (an upper side in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7) is embedded in theslider main body 30, and whose distal end (a lower side in FIG. 5 andFIG. 7) projects toward the surface of the magnetic disk DK by apredetermined amount, is provided at a predetermined position (in thisembodiment, a position adjacent to the magnetic head element 60) of theslider main body 30. In this case, the distal end of the stud member 80comes in contact with the surface of the magnetic disk DK prior to themagnetic head element 60 at a time of contact between a portion of theslider main body 30 and the magnetic disk DK. Therefore, the magnetichead element 60 is reliably prevented from coming in direct contact withthe magnetic disk DK.

As shown in FIG. 7, if a distance between the surface of the magneticdisk DK and the distal end of the stud member 80 is represented as t₁,and a distance between the surface of the magnetic disk DK and areading/reproducing face of the magnetic head element 60 is representedas t₂, a projecting amount of the stud member 80 is set such that arelationship between the distances t₁ and t₂ always satisfies t₁<t₂.Consequently, the stud member 80 comes in contact with the surface ofthe magnetic disk DK prior to the magnetic head element 60.

A portion (at least a surface) constituting the stud member 80 can bemade of a film member mainly including a hard material such as carbon. Adamping member 85 for damping vibrations is provided at a proximal endposition of the contact stud 80, to damp vibration energy generated dueto contact between the stud member 80 and the surface of the magneticdisk DK. Consequently, vibrations can be reliably prevented frompropagating to the magnetic head element 60.

As explained above, according to the third embodiment, the stud member80 whose one side (proximal end) is embedded in the magnetic slider mainbody, and whose other side (distal end) projects toward a surface of themagnetic disk DK by a predetermined amount, is provided at thepredetermined position on the slider main body 30. Therefore, the distalend of the stud member 80 comes in contact with the surface of themagnetic disk DK prior to the magnetic head element 60 at a time ofcontact with the magnetic disk DK. Therefore, the magnetic head element60 can be reliably prevented from coming in direct contact with themagnetic disk DK.

Vibration energy generated at a time of contact between the stud member80 and the surface of the magnetic disk DK can be damped by the dampingmember 85 that surrounds the stud member 80, so that vibrations can bereliably prevented from propagating to the magnetic head element 60 thatis disposed near the stud member 80.

While the details of the configuration and the function of the magnetichead slider according to the present invention are explained above foreach of the first to the third embodiments, the characteristic portionsof the respective first to the third embodiments can be combined withone another. Specifically, the dynamic absorber 20 can be provided fordamping vibrations, in the magnetic head slider having the slider mainbody 30, the insulating layer 40, and the protective layer 50 that arethe composite material or the damping member. Alternatively, the studmember 80 for contact can be provided in the magnetic head slider withthe dynamic absorber 20. By combining the first to the third embodimentsin this manner, a function and an effect of blocking propagation ofvibrations to the magnetic head element 60 can be further improved.

A magnetic head slider 10 c according to a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention will be explained next with reference to FIG. 8 andFIG. 9. The first to the third embodiments include the magnetic headsliders of a non-contact type (a near-contact type), where the slidermain body 30 does not come in contact with the magnetic disk DK. In thefourth to sixth embodiments, a configuration of a magnetic head sliderof a contact type, where the slider main body 30 and the magnetic diskDK come in contact with each other, will be explained.

In the first to the third embodiments, a levitation amount on aflowing-out side can be further reduced to establish a state in whichthe slider main body 30 and the magnetic disk DK come in substantialcontact with each other. Therefore, the names “near contact” and“contact” are used only for convenience of explanation, and do not limitthe scope of claims. FIG. 8 is a side view of the magnetic head slider10 c of the contact type according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9is a plan view thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the magnetic head slider 10 c is providedwith a pair of contact pads 90 positioned at a front side, and onecontact pad 90 positioned at an approximately center on a rear side, ofa bottom face 35 of the slider main body 30, and pad supporting portions95 that support the three contact pads 90. The contact pads 90 and thesurface of the magnetic disk DK always come in slight contact with eachother.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, arrangement positions of the contact pads 90are nearer to the surface of the magnetic disk DK than the position ofthe magnetic head element 60, or are at positions coming in slightcontact with the magnetic disk DK. On the other hand, the arrangementposition of the magnetic head element 60 is such that the magnetic headelement 60 does not come in direct contact with the surface of themagnetic disk DK.

The contact pad 90 is made of a hard material having hardness more thanthat of a magnetic pole material used for the magnetic head element 60.Because the contact pad 90 is made of a film member mainly including acarbon material, hardness of the contact pad 90 can be furtherincreased.

The magnetic head slider 10 c of the contact type also includes thedynamic vibrator 20 that absorbs vibrations, which is the feature of thefirst embodiment. Specifically, there are a total of three dynamicvibrators 20 including one positioned at a rear end of the slider mainbody 30, as shown in FIG. 8, and one positioned at each of both left andright side faces thereof, as shown in FIG. 9. As described above, in themagnetic head slider 10 c of the contact type, degradation and outputreduction of the magnetic head element 60 provided in the magnetic headslider 10 c can be prevented over a long period.

As explained above, in the magnetic head slider 10 c of the contact typeaccording to the fourth embodiment, the dynamic absorbers 20 thatabsorbs vibration energy generated due to contact between the slidermain body 30 and the magnetic disk DK, are provided at the predeterminedpositions of the slider main body 30. Therefore, the vibration energycan be damped by the dynamic absorbers 20. Thus, degradation and outputreduction of the magnetic head element 60 provided in the magnetic headslider 10 c of the contact type can be prevented over a long period.

A magnetic head slider according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained next with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.FIG. 10 is a side view of a magnetic head slider 10 d of a contact typeaccording to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a plan view thereof.As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the magnetic head slider 10 d includes apair of contact pads 90 positioned at both side positions of the bottomface 35 of the slider main body 30, and one contact pad 90 positioned atan approximately center on a rear side position thereof, and padsupporting portions 95 that support the three contact pads 90. Thecontact pads 90 and the surface of the magnetic disk DK always come inslight contact with each other.

In the magnetic head slider 10 d of the contact type, compositematerials of ceramic or resin, various damping members for absorbingvibrations, or materials with a high mechanical damping coefficient canbe properly selected, and used as the materials used for the slider mainbody 30, the insulating layer 40, and the protective layer 50 that arepositioned near the portion where the magnetic head element 60 isdisposed, like the constituent material which is the feature of thesecond embodiment.

As explained above, according to the magnetic head slider 10 d of thecontact type of the fifth embodiment, the composite material or thedamping member that absorbs vibrations is selected as the respectiveconstituent material (the slider main body 30, the insulating layer 40,and the protective layer 50) positioned near portions where the magnetichead element 60 is disposed. Therefore, even if vibrations due tocontact with the surface of the magnetic disk DK occur, propagation ofthe vibrations to the magnetic head element 60 can be blocked by thecharacteristics of the vibration absorbing member constituting theslider main body 30, the insulating layer 40, and the protective layer50. Consequently, degradation and output reduction of the magnetic headelement 60 provided in the magnetic head slider 10 d of the contact typecan be prevented over a long period.

A magnetic head slider according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained next with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.FIG. 12 is a side view of a magnetic head slider 10 e of a contact typeaccording to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a plan view thereof.As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, according to the sixth embodiment, hardcontact pads 90 and the pad supporting portions 95 that support thecontact pads 90 are provided on the bottom face 35 of the slider mainbody 30 constituting the magnetic head slider 10 e, and vibrationdamping members 96 for damping vibrations are provided around thecontact pads 90.

Thus, the slider main body 30 and the contact pads 90 are configuredsuch that vibrations generated due to contact between the slider mainbody 30 and the surface of the magnetic disk DK or the like are isolatedby the vibration damping members 96.

In the magnetic head slider 10 e of the contact type, propagation ofvibrations generated due to contact between one portion of the slidermain body 30 and the surface of the magnetic disk DK to the magnetichead element 60 is blocked by disposing three contact pads 90 (FIG. 13)on the bottom face 35 of the slider main body 30, and providing thevibration damping members 96 around the contact pads 90.

As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the contact pads 90 are provided atpositions nearer to the surface of the magnetic disk DK than themagnetic head element 60, or at positions where the contact pads 90 comein contact with the magnetic disk DK but the magnetic head element 60does not come in direct contact with the magnetic disk DK. Therefore,contact between the slider main body 30 and the surface of the magneticdisk DK can be limited to contact between the magnetic disk DK and thecontact pads 90 instead of the magnetic head element 60.

The vibration damping member 96 is made of a material having mechanicaldamping coefficient larger than that of the contact pad 90 for whichhard material is selected. For example, a flexible material can be usedfor the vibration damping member 96.

As explained above, according to the magnetic head slider 10 e of thecontact type of the sixth embodiment, the vibration damping members 96are provided around the contact pads 90 provided on the bottom face 35of the slider main body 30. Therefore, vibrations generated at a time ofcontact between a portion of the magnetic head slider 10 e and themagnetic disk DK are damped by the vibration damping members 96.Therefore, vibrations due to contact between a portion of the slidermain body 30 and the surface of the magnetic disk DK can be reliablyprevented from propagating to the magnetic head element 60.

According to the present invention, vibrations generated due to contactbetween any portion of the magnetic head slider main body and thesurface of the magnetic disk are absorbed, thereby preventingdegradation and output reduction of the magnetic head element in themagnetic head slider over a long period.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specificembodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein setforth.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A magnetic head slider disposed opposite to a surfaceof a magnetic disk, comprising: a slider main body; a magnetic headelement that reads and reproduces data from the magnetic disk; and atleast one stud member, provided at a predetermined position of theslider main body, a proximal end of the stud member embedded in theslider main body and a distal end of the stud member projecting towardthe surface of the magnetic disk by a predetermined amount, wherein anabsorbing material that absorbs vibrations is interposed between theproximal end and the slider main body.
 10. The magnetic head slideraccording to claim 9, wherein the predetermined amount, by which thestud member projects, is set such that a gap between the distal end ofthe stud member and the surface of the magnetic disk is smaller than agap between a reading/reproducing face of the magnetic head element andthe surface of the magnetic disk.
 11. The magnetic head slider accordingto claim 9, wherein the predetermined amount, by which the stud memberprojects, is set such that the distal end of the stud member and thesurface of the magnetic disk come in slight contact with each other, anda gap between a reading/reproducing face of the magnetic head elementand the surface of the magnetic disk is set to prevent direct contactbetween the reading/reproducing face and the surface of the magneticdisk.
 12. The magnetic head slider according to claim 9, wherein aflexible material having a large damping coefficient is interposedbetween the stud member and the slider main body.
 13. The magnetic headslider according to claim 9, wherein at least one surface of the studmember is made from a material harder than a magnetic pole material thatis used for the magnetic head element.
 14. A magnetic head sliderdisposed opposite to a surface of a magnetic disk, comprising: a slidermain body; a magnetic head element that reads or reproduces data fromthe magnetic disk; and a hard contact pad that is isolated from theslider main body by a vibration damping member, and that is provided ona bottom face of the slider main body, wherein an arrangement positionof the contact pad is any one of a position such that a gap between thecontact pad and the surface of the magnetic disk is smaller than a gapbetween the magnetic head element and the surface of the magnetic disk,and a position such that the contact pad comes in contact with themagnetic disk, but there is no direct contact of the magnetic headelement with the magnetic disk.
 15. The magnetic head slider accordingto claim 14, wherein the vibration damping member is made of a materialwith a mechanical damping coefficient larger than that of the contactpad.
 16. The magnetic head slider according to claim 14, wherein thevibration damping member is a flexible material.
 17. The magnetic headslider according to claim 14, wherein the contact pad is made from amaterial harder than a magnetic pole material of the magnetic headelement.
 18. The magnetic head slider according to claim 14, wherein thecontact pad includes a film member mainly made from a carbon material.